Engineered wood-based panel specialist, Norbord, chipped in to donate vital safety equipment for the recent National Fire Service challenge at Stirling University.

The company supplied the Fire and Rescue Service with panelboards for use in a crucial car crash challenge which pushed firefighters’ rescue skills to the limit.

The teams of top firefighters, from 32 brigades across the UK, gathered at Stirling University campus where they raced against the clock and each other to safely rescue casualties from simulated car crash inside 20 minutes.

Boards donated by Norbord were instrumental in protecting the tarmac from the ‘crash’ scene where the cars were crushed using special machinery; they also protected the university grounds.

The car crash rescue challenge was one of three specially simulated events, alongside a road rescue challenge and trauma challenge.

By putting officers into a real life situation in which their actions can make a difference between life and death for casualties, the challenges were designed to promote best practice within the fire service across the UK.

Ian McCaskill, Group Manager, Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We are extremely grateful to Norbord for stepping in to provide the boards which helped us to prepare the crash scene for our vital life-saving challenges.

“This is a serious competition which was aimed to improve the services that we provide on a daily basis around the clock, so it is great to have support from the local business community.”

Andrew Francis, General Manager at Norbord, added: “As one of the largest employers in Stirlingshire, Norbord is committed to giving back to the local community in which we operate.

“Central Scotland Fire and Rescue service is vital for the safety of our community and anything that can be done to benefit and improve the service we rely on is a truly worthy cause.”